It All Started in Greece

Visiting Greece is a unique opportunity to see the birthplace of theater

Article by Elisabeth Fotiadou, Consul General of Greece; with contribution from Alexandra Papoutsakis

For most of us, summer in Greece is equivalent to sunny islands, sea in all shades of blue, Mediterranean cuisine and excellent wine. Greece, however, has more to offer. Visiting Greece is a unique opportunity to follow classical Greek plays, as well as every kind of performance, sitting on the same marble seats where ancient Greeks sat and feel the same excitement under the moonlight.

In the 5th century B.C. theatrical drama made its appearance in classical Greece. Tragedy evolved into a structured form of drama, having initially started as dances in honor of Dionysus, god of wine and theater. Subsequently, plays were staged in Athens, during the Great Dionysia Festival. Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were the three playwrights of the 5th century BC whose extant tragedies have survived. Aristophanes and Menander wrote comedy in the 5th and 4th centuries B.C. Ancient tragedies dealt with eternal questions and basic human values, whereas comedies satirized political life. This is why even today, these plays remain contemporary, relevant, and can be interpreted in a modern way.

Greek tragedies and comedies were always performed in outdoor theatres (“theatron” in Greek means “viewing place”), usually on a hill side, taking advantage of the natural architecture, overlooking the stage and orchestra. As there were no speakers or sound equipment, acoustics were very important. The Ancient Theater of Epidaurus owes its excellent acoustics to its geometrically perfect design.

Greece today continues the traditions of antiquity through the presentation of ancient Greek tragedy and comedy in the open ancient theaters in the summer. The Athens Festival, from June to September, is one of Europe’s major festivals, and hosts some of the best Greek and foreign performers of classical and modern theater, dance, opera, and modern music. Traveling south of Athens, in the Peloponnese, ancient plays are staged in the open air in the magnificent Epidaurus Theater. Classical theater as well as other performances are presented in the open Roman Odeon of Herodus Atticus, in Athens, beneath the floodlit Acropolis.

After a day by the sea, your skin tanned by the Mediterranean sun and the salt of the Aegean still in your hair, climb the marble stairs from the new Acropolis Museum up to Herodus Atticus Theater and enjoy a performance. Then stroll to a local taverna and have a lively discussion with your friends about Medea’s motives over a glass of boutique Greek wine.

^
top

print this page   send this page